The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-05

an indication of His own estimate Of
the value of wine, which He claims
is His gift unto men.
Having thus ascertained the au-
thor, nature, use and value of wine
as taught in the Old testament, the
preacher student now turns TO the
examination OF the subject as taught
in the New. Still remembering his
VOW to teach according to the Script
uTes, and the admonition TO Learn
Of the Master" and make him his
constant pattern" he makes an ear
nest effort to ascertain what che Ian
guage and example Of Jesus teach
concerning the use of wire. .
From Matthew 9:17, 11:19, Mark
2:22, Luke 5:37 80, 1915 and
1913 "a, he learns that Jesus spoke
freely and favorsbly of wine as a
thing good in itself and proper to be
used; that he Endorsed the opinion
that old wine was better than new,
and boldly stated that he himself
was in the habit of its constant use as
a beverage. From John ELL he
assertains that Jesus forcibly encour-
aged the free use of wine as bever-
age by others, by the miracu-
lous exercise of His divine power in
the manufacture OF large quantity
of it for distribution among the
guests at the marriage feast, thus
showing the generosity of His ma
ture by treating His associates on
the festive occasion to at least ninety
gallons of good wine. He further
learns from this passage, that Jesus,
by this miraculous treat OF ninety
gallons of wine, inaugurated His
ministry Of redemption, displayed
His glory and convinced His discl-
pies OF the divine character Of His
person and mission.
From other passages OF the Cos
pels he finds that while Jesus was
very bold and plain in rebuking sin
and vice in their manifold forms and
phases, and that notwithstanding the
fact that He often attended feasts
where wine was as freely served as
was bread, while He never encour-
| AGED drunkenness, but denounced it,
vet He never uttered single sylla-
BILE in condemnation Of its free use
as a beverage-never said or init
mated to His host that it was in any
respect wrong to furnish his guests
with wine. In fact he finds all the
teachings and examples Of Jesus on
the side of free but proper use OF
wine as beverage.
So likewise he finds all the teach
| ines OF the New Testament upon the
| subject; as much SO as he finds them
favorable to proper use OF flesh OF
bread. -.
After thus searching the word
and considering the example Of the
Master" he need be at no loss as to
what the teachings Of the one and the
example of the other authorize in
reference to the manufacture, dis.
tribution and use OF wines, nor as tc
what his ordination VOWS require
him to teach in regard to these
things. He must be more thar
blind and worse than dull of under
standing if he does not perceive tina
the teachings of the Bible and thu
example of Jesus sanction ant
authorize the manufacture, distribu
ton and free use of wines both TO
sacred and secular purposes; ant
that if he is to teach the truth &C
cording to the Holy Scriptures" h
must also teach that it is right ant
proper to make, distribute and US
wines, both for religious and secu
lar purposes, always, of course, &C
cordingto:the teachings OF the Word
guarding against and opposing tn
excessive use of these as well a
other God given blessings.
Thus instructed by the word q
God and the example of Jesus, le
the ordained minister of the Wor
pass from our view with the oblig'
lions of his ordination vows Resin
upon him, until occasion shall ca
him forth as a public teacher on tn
subject Of wines, their manufacture
distribution and use.